Malacañang defends granting of pork to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada

Dellon Porcalla of The Philippine Star reports: "Malacañang defended yesterday the grant of pork barrel funds this year to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who realigned half of his allocation-or P100 million-to the city of Manila, whose mayor is his father Joseph Estrada."

The report quoted Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, who pointed out that "the granting of the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) to Estrada was ’conditional’ and that it would not be implemented without compliance with the conditions set forth in the budget."

"I think it's pretty clear based on what President Aquino laid down as requirements before there can be any movement on that particular fund, and it has been stated in the President's veto message," Valte said.